Hello,

My name is Sam.

My long-term dream is to have a working, fully certified therapy dog who can support children and young people in meaningful, practical ways — in schools, hospitals, and youth settings. This could include helping children with emotional regulation and behaviour support, supporting mental health, walking alongside children who struggle to get to school, and helping children build confidence through reading and calm companionship.

Alongside this, Hank my golden retriever plays a vital role in supporting my own recovery. I live with complex PTSD, depression, and anxiety, and I work incredibly hard every day to manage my mental health and minimise the impact of trauma. My vision has always been for Hank to not only support me, but to go on to help others who are struggling on difficult days.

To do this safely, responsibly, and to a professional standard, I need to raise £3,500 to Hank to complete the specialist training, assessments, and certification required for Hank to work as a therapy dog in professional settings.

Rather than taking on an extreme challenge that could risk my mental health, I’ve chosen something demanding but sustainable: walking 1,000 miles in just six months. It’s a huge challenge alongside my dog-walking work, but one that supports my wellbeing rather than undermining it and brings me closer to turning this long-held dream into something that can genuinely help others.